If Trump grabbed a vagina in Yemen, would we care?

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I usually start these posts with with the words “Either I’m crazy or” followed by something witty, witty at least in my mind. But right now I am at a loss for words. Or, more aptly, I don’t feel it is appropriate to use even the slight deadpan humor that accompanies my usual irony.

Simply put, I’m completely mortified by my country right now. A fluctuating mix of sadness, disbelief and anger. I am embarrassed at the complete lack of attention, the complete lack of compassion, the complete lack of interest in the current role the United States is taking in bombing and starving Yemen (Babies Starved of Milk as Yemen Slides Towards Famine), one of the poorest nations in the world.

The media, mainstream and social, has been incessantly focused on the recorded comments that Trump made in 2005. It is 24/7 coverage. It’s evidence that when the country decides, any story can be covered non-stop.

Are the Trump tapes newsworthy? Sure.

Let’s assume the worst. Let’s assume everything Trump said is literal, not meant in any joking manner and precisely true. Let’s assume that Trump, 10 years ago, when he was a sought after political donor and insider admitted in those recordings to forcibly grabbing and kissing women.

Let’s assume that every allegation against Trump is true and he deserves to be vilified. Let’s also assume that the 9 women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault or rape are all liars, and should simply be dismissed because as Democratic strategist James Carville said, “If you drag a hundred-dollar bill through a trailer park, you never know what you’ll find.”

Horrible. Yup. Newsworthy. Yup. But what about Yemen?

Referencing Donald Trump, today Michelle Obama said, “It has shaken me to my core in a way I could not have predicted.” Either I’m crazy or I don’t think the Trump tapes are worse than death. I don’t think the Trump tapes are worse than famine. I don’t think the tapes are worse than the over 600 casualties caused by US bombs a few days ago.

If the Trump tapes are so horrible, why the hell are we even friends with the Saudis to begin with? Their exemplar treatment towards women?